Heliotrope Ridge and Coleman Glacier

If you'd like nose-to-nose access to Mount Baker, this first-rate woodsy walk delivers. Over a well-maintained and well used trail with graded elevation gain, you can be glacier-side in no time...if the creek crossings allow. They can be challenging, but always crossable if you allow yourself to get wet. Water footwear is necessary. Due to the crashing water these are not bare foot crossings. Poles help resist the pull downstream. That said most people this year complain more about the road in.
There are options once past the woods walk and in the meadows. As a group we will consider backtracking to the Climbers' Trail junction and exploring a bit. True to form, the Climbers' Trail climbs steeply and directly up the neighboring Hogsback Ridge and gains elevation quickly, 900 feet in half a mile. The payoff of course is that within minutes, you're looking right at Mount Baker in its full, unobstructed glory. The higher you go, the bigger the views, and you can reach the Coleman Glacier here too at around 6000 feet. Mountain goats often hang out at the climbers camp on the edge of the ice, posing for pictures.

Co-lead- Carrie Rodlend

More: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/heliotrope-ridge#hike-full-description

This trailhead shares access to a popular climbing route on Mount Baker, so the parking lot (with privy) is huge, the trail is well traveled and in great shape. The road in was in great shape one day long ago but is now suffering. Low clearance vehicles are making it up the eight miles but there are some degraded areas requiring care.

Bring the ten essentials and as always be prepared for changeable mountain weather.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials

Each person is responsible for themself as typical for Bellingham HIking Co op outings. Mountain hiking familiarity is assumed.

Six miles RT, 1500 feet gain (and loss), highest point 5200'.
Side trip to Climbers Camp adds 1 mile RT, 900 foot additional gain (and loss).

Trailhead comes up on Google Maps by searching for 'Heliotrope Ridge Trailhead'. The Glacier Creek road turns off Hwy 542 one mile past Glacier townsite and the actual time is slower than estimated. There is no cell service past Maple falls.

Boots on the trail at 8.30am. Please RSVP as a courtesy to everyone. The Bellingham Hiking Co op keeps their hiking groups small to encourage a quality mountain experience.

I will be at Lowes parking lot near KFC at 7:00am, If anyone wishes to carpool we can setup them up then. I can take one person, leaving at 7:10 sharp. Text Greg 360.224.6166. Indicate on your RSVP if you can take rider(s) and if you will also be at the Lowes meeting spot.